Texans head to Nacogdoches Wednesday to wrap up 4-game road trip at SFA

The Teams: Tarleton Texans (14-12, 8-6 WAC) at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (16-9, 8-4 WAC)
Where: Nacogdoches, Texas
Arena: William R. Johnson Coliseum
Day and Time: Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Kyle Crews)

ABOUT THE MATCHUP

This marks the 17th all-time meeting. SFA leads the all-time series 14-2, but the teams have met just once since 1977, last year, where Tarleton won 77-71. Tarleton has won two straight in the series.
In last season's overtime thriller, Tarleton forced 24 turnovers and made 26-of-31 from the FT line. Freddy Hicks had a game-high 23 points (9-11 FT), adding eight rebounds and two blocks.
SFA has gone 3-4 since starting WAC play 5-0. They're 10-2 at home, winners of eight straight.
Nationwide, SFA is No. 2 in TO's forced per game (18.7), sixth in 3PT% (.394), 27th in FG% (.481).

QUICK HITS

Tarleton has clinched their spot into the WAC Tournament, the first year they are eligible. They're seventh in the WAC MBB Resume Seeding System. Stephen F. Austin is sixth.
The Texans' March 3 game vs. New Mexico State has been canceled as the Aggies have shut down their 2022-23 season. The WAC granted Tarleton a conference win for seeding purposes due to the forfeit, making Tarleton 8-6 in WAC play. The overall record goes unchanged.
Tarleton has won two of their last three and four of their last six.
With a win Wednesday, Tarleton would have their most season wins in their D1 era, surpassing the 14 wins from last season. They'd also have consecutive road wins for the first time this year.
With a win Wednesday, Tarleton would match their most WAC wins from last year with three games still to go. They'd also conclude their four-game road trip 3-1.
Tarleton just shot 59.5 percent, their second time in two weeks at 59+ percent (61.5 vs. GCU on Jan. 28). They made 17-of-23 (.739) from the field (7-10 3PT) in the first half alone. The Texans are now 10-0 this season when shooting 50+ percent, 22-0 in such games under head coach Billy Gillispie.
The Texans have started the same five players in eight straight games; Shakur Daniel, Lue Williams, Shamir Bogues, Freddy Hicks and KiAndre Gaddy.
Year-over-year, Tarleton is averaging 6.3 more points (70.9 PPG to 64.6 PPG), a higher FG% (.458 to .419), a higher 3PT% (.349 to .305) and more rebounds (31.7 RPG to 30.5 RPG).

WHO'S HOT

Freddy Hicks – Last week across three games in which Tarleton went 2-1, Hicks averaged 20.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.7 SPG and 1.3 BPG in 39.3 MPG. He played 118 of a possible 120 minutes. He has five 20+ point games this season, 14 in his career. He's second in the nation in FTA per game (8.7).
Tiger Booker – Booker returned from a three-game absence to post a career-high 20 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 3PT, 9-10 FT), adding two assists in 29 minutes off the bench. His 20 points tied Garry Clark for the most by a Texan reserve in a game this season (Jan. 5 vs. Southern Utah).
Shakur Daniel – Daniel just recorded 10 points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 5-6 FT), five assists, four rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes. He's averaging the most minutes in the WAC this season (35.4), and is first in conference play playing time (36.8 MPG). He's also 17th in APG (2.8) and 18th in SPG (1.3).

NUMBERS TO KNOW
5: Out of 26 games, Tarleton has won the turnover battle 21 times, only posting MORE TURNOVERS THAN THEIR OPPONENTS five times this season. Nationally they're tied-eighth in average turnover margin (+4.8) and 13th in turnovers forced per game (17.4).

70: The number 70 usually means a win for Tarleton, as the Texans are 12-1 THIS SEASON WHEN SCORING 70+ POINTS, and 2-11 when scoring under 70. Tarleton is 13-2 when leading at halftime and 13-2 when outshooting their opponents.

6: Over the past six games, Tarleton has SHOT 49.1 PERCENT from the field (144-of-293), including 42.5 PERCENT FROM DISTANCE (34-of-80). Entering the span, Tarleton was shooting 44.9 percent, 32.7 percent from deep. TARLETON IS 4-2 over their last six games.

3: Tarleton is third in the country in FREE THROW ATTEMPTS PER GAME, going to the line 25.0 times per contest. They only trail UTRGV (26.3) and Texas A&M (25.5). The last time Tarleton finished a season with 25+ FTA per game was 2016-17 (26.5 FTA per).

UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
Tarleton will have a Saturday night test at Wisdom Gym against Sam Houston at 7 p.m. CT. The Texans are 10-1 at home this season. The Bearkats are ranked No. 2 in the WAC MBB Resume Seeding System, 18-6 overall on the year. The game will be Armed Forces Day – fans are encouraged to done camo.

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